US20090010398A1 - Providing Routing Information to an Answering Point of an Emergency Services Network - Google Patents
Providing Routing Information to an Answering Point of an Emergency Services Network Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090010398A1 US20090010398A1 US11/773,519 US77351907A US2009010398A1 US 20090010398 A1 US20090010398 A1 US 20090010398A1 US 77351907 A US77351907 A US 77351907A US 2009010398 A1 US2009010398 A1 US 2009010398A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- answering point
- alternate
- emergency call
- primary
- routing information
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 72
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000012546 transfer Methods 0.000 claims description 32
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 claims description 22
- 108010007100 Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A Proteins 0.000 abstract description 44
- 102100027773 Pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A2 Human genes 0.000 abstract description 44
- PKOMXLRKGNITKG-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium;hydroxy(methyl)arsinate Chemical compound [Ca+2].C[As](O)([O-])=O.C[As](O)([O-])=O PKOMXLRKGNITKG-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 5
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 5
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 3
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013507 mapping Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/51—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
- H04M3/5116—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing for emergency applications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/51—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
- H04M3/523—Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention, e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing with call distribution or queueing
- H04M3/5237—Interconnection arrangements between ACD systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
- H04M3/4872—Non-interactive information services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
- H04M7/006—Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer
Definitions
- the invention relates to emergency services and, in particular, to providing alternate routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network. More particularly, this invention provides nominal emergency services call processing cases with information to allow a call taker to understand the call processing logic used for a specific call. Also, in an alternate routing scenario where a primary answering point is not available to handle an emergency call, the emergency services network routes the emergency call to an alternate answering point and also provides alternate routing information to the alternate answering point indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point.
- E9-1-1 has the additional features of automatically providing the call taker with some information on the calling party.
- E9-1-1 service includes the features of Automatic Number Identification (ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI). With ANI, the call taker at the PSAP is automatically provided with the telephone number of the phone placing the emergency call to allow for call back.
- ANI Automatic Number Identification
- ALI Automatic Location Identification
- the PSAP also uses the ANI to query the ALI database for information on the physical location of the calling party's phone.
- the ALI database stores records mapping telephone numbers to information on a physical location (such as a street address). Responsive to the query from the PSAP, the ALI database returns the location information for the calling party. With the telephone number and the location information, the call taker can more effectively handle the emergency call.
- the selective router is connected to the PSAP's over a packet network, such as an IP network.
- a packet network such as an IP network.
- the use of a packet network allows the selective router to pass more information to the PSAP than can be done over a CAMA trunk.
- the selective router can pass location information to the PSAP over the packet network.
- the selective router can pass additional information about the emergency situation to the PSAP over the packet network, such as that the emergency situation is at a hazardous location.
- Embodiments of the invention solve the above and other problems by having a selective routing system provide routing information to a PSAP or another alternate answering point indicating a reason for primary or alternate routing of the emergency call to the answering point.
- the selective router indicates the reason for alternate routing to an alternate destination instead of a primary answering point.
- the routing information may indicate the call was routed using the selective routing algorithm.
- the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point was busy which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point.
- the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point was abandoned which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point.
- Providing routing information in accordance with this invention has the advantage of facilitating the call taker's understanding of the problems of misrouted calls or the source of calls as designated by ingress trunk groups.
- Providing the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point provides many advantages. For instance, the alternate answering point may be informed that the emergency call did not originate in its jurisdiction because the alternate answering point was not the primary answering point. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is receiving a significant overflow of emergency calls from another answering point that is commonly busy, which means that the other answering point may need increased capacity. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is receiving a significant overflow of emergency calls from another answering point that is handling a large emergency situation, such as a hurricane or flood. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is handling emergency calls from another answering point that has been abandoned.
- One embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an emergency services network to handle routing of an emergency call.
- the method includes receiving an emergency call in the emergency services network, performing a selective routing process or trunk-only routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and determining whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call. Responsive to a determination that the primary answering point is not available to handle the emergency call, the method further includes a process to identify an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call, routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point, identifying alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point, and transmitting the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point.
- the emergency call control system includes a packet network interface adapted to communicate over a packet network with a plurality of answering points, and a selective routing system.
- the selective routing system is adapted to receive an emergency call, to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and to determine whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call.
- the emergency call control system is further adapted to identify a second answering point to handle the emergency call, to route the emergency call to the second answering point over the packet network, to identify alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the second answering point instead of the first answering point, and to transmit the alternate routing information to the second answering point over the packet network.
- Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an emergency services network to handle a transfer of an emergency call.
- the method includes receiving an emergency call in the emergency services network, performing a selective routing process or trunk-only routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and routing the emergency call to the primary answering point.
- the method further includes transferring the emergency call from the primary answering point to an alternate answering point, and transmitting transfer information from the primary answering point to the alternate answering point indicating that the emergency call was transferred from the primary answering point
- FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an emergency services network to handle routing of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 illustrates an answering point in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an emergency services network to handle a transfer of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method of operating an answering point in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- FIGS. 1-6 and the following description depict specific exemplary embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects of the invention have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network 100 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- Communication network 100 is adapted to handle emergency calls.
- An emergency call also referred to as a special number call or an abbreviated number call, is a call to a particular number where the communication network provides a special service to a calling party. Examples of emergency calls include 9-1-1 calls in the United States, and 1-1-2 calls in Europe.
- Communication network 100 is illustrated as including an access network 101 and an emergency services network 102 .
- Access network 101 comprises any type of network adapted to provide telecommunications services to a calling device 120 .
- Access network 101 may comprise a wireline network (e.g., a PSTN), a wireless network (e.g., a CDMA network or a GSM network), or a VoIP network.
- Emergency services network 102 includes an emergency call control (ECC) system 104 , a packet network 110 , and a plurality of answering points 112 - 113 .
- An ECC system comprises any system or server adapted to control routing of emergency calls.
- ECC system 104 includes a selective routing (SR) system 106 and a packet network interface 108 .
- Selective routing system 106 may connect to a selective routing database 130 that stores information on answering points connected to selective routing system 106 , and may connect to an auxiliary information database 140 that stores information pertinent to routing of emergency calls to the proper answering point.
- the auxiliary information may comprise a language preference of the calling party, a medical condition of the calling party, etc.
- An answering point in emergency services network 102 comprises any system adapted to serve or handle an emergency call.
- An answering point is a PSAP.
- Answering points 112 - 113 are VoIP capable systems, such as systems that are SIP-enabled for handling call signaling and RTP-enabled for handling voice packets
- Access network 101 that is serving calling device 120 , receives the call and identifies the call as an emergency call. Access network 101 then routes the emergency call to ECC system 104 of emergency services network 102 . Responsive to receiving the emergency call, emergency services network 102 operates as described below to handle the emergency call.
- FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 of operating emergency services network 102 to handle routing of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- the steps of the flow chart in FIG. 2 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.
- selective routing system 106 receives the emergency call. Selective routing system 106 then performs a selective routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call in step 204 .
- selective routing system 106 receives the directory number of calling device 120 in the signaling for the emergency call.
- Selective routing system 106 may then query a selective routing database 130 to identify an Emergency Service Number (ESN) assigned to the directory number.
- ESN Emergency Service Number
- Selective routing database 130 stores the directory number-to-ESN relationship.
- Routing Information Database 150 stores information on the answering points and the status of the answering points. Routing Information database 150 may be populated automatically by selective routing system 106 or may be updated by answering points 112 - 113 .
- the ESN provided by selective routing database 130 indicates a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and may identify one or more alternate answering points to handle the emergency call.
- a primary answering point comprises a network node that is identified as the node to which an emergency call should be initially routed.
- the primary answering point may be the final destination for an emergency call or may be an intermediate destination.
- answering point 112 is identified as the primary answering point.
- selective routing system 106 may query auxiliary information database 140 for auxiliary information used to select the primary answering point and/or the alternate answering points.
- the auxiliary information may comprise a language preference for the calling party such that selective routing system 106 selects answering points adapted to handle the language preference.
- selective routing system 106 may determine whether trunk-only routing is enabled as discussed above, in the Background of the Invention. This process is left out for the sake of brevity.
- selective routing system 106 determines whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call.
- selective routing system 106 may process state data for answering point 112 to determine its availability.
- the state data may indicate that answering point 112 is busy, abandoned, etc.
- the state data may also indicate that multiple calls are queued up for answering point 112 and that answering point 112 is congested.
- selective routing system 106 may transmit a request message to answering point 112 over packet network 110 , such as a SIP INVITE message. Selective routing system 106 may then receive a response message indicating that answering point 112 is available or indicating that answering point 112 is not available (e.g., busy).
- selective routing system 106 may not receive a response message from answering point 112 within a threshold time period which indicates that answering point 112 is not available. If answering point 112 is available to handle the emergency call, then selective routing system 106 routes the emergency call to answering point 112 over packet network 110 through packet network interface 108 and transmits information that answering point 112 is the primary destination per selective routing in step 207 .
- selective routing system 106 performs the selective routing process to identify an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call in step 210 .
- An alternate answering point comprises a network node other than the primary answering point that is a final destination for an emergency call.
- the alternate answering point (assume answering point 113 ) may have been identified in the previous alternate routing process used to identify the alternate answering point.
- selective routing system 106 may determine the primary answering point based on facility administration of Trunk-only Routing 203 on the media which the call arrived from access network 101 .
- selective routing system 106 routes the emergency call to answering point 113 over packet network 110 through packet network interface 108 .
- selective routing system 106 identifies the primary routing information for the emergency call.
- the primary routing information comprises either Trunk-only Routing or Selective Routing.
- selective routing system 106 identifies alternate routing information for the emergency call.
- the alternate routing information comprises any information that indicates a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point 113 instead of the primary answering point 112 .
- the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point 112 was busy which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point 113 .
- the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point 112 was abandoned which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point 113 .
- the alternate routing information may include other information indicating reasons for routing the call to the alternate answering point 113 .
- selective routing system 106 transmits the routing information to answering point 113 over packet network 110 through packet network interface 108 .
- Selective routing system 106 may transmit the routing information to answering point 113 in a variety of ways.
- selective routing system 106 transmits the routing information to answering point 113 in the signaling for the emergency call.
- the signaling used over packet network 110 is SIP
- selective routing system 106 may include the routing information in a SIP message used to route the emergency call to answering point 113 (e.g., a SIP INVITE message). More particularly, selective routing system 106 may include the routing information in XML data of a SIP message header. Selective routing system 106 may push the routing information to answering point 113 upon identifying the information.
- selective routing system 106 may transmit the routing information to answering point 113 responsive to a request from answering point 113 or another device.
- Selective routing system 106 may provide other types of information to answering point 113 over packet network 110 in addition to the primary routing information and alternate routing information. For instance, selective routing system 106 may provide location information to answering point 113 over packet network 110 . Selective routing system 106 may provide information regarding the emergency situation that caused the emergency call. As an example, the emergency situation may have occurred in a hazardous location requiring emergency personnel to take special precautions. Selective routing system 106 may thus provide answering point 113 with additional information regarding the hazardous location.
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method 400 of operating answering point 113 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- the steps of the flow chart in FIG. 4 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.
- packet network interface 302 receives the emergency call over packet network 110 as routed by selective routing system 106 (see also FIG. 1 ), and also receives the alternate routing information.
- call distributor 304 selects a terminal to handle the emergency call (assume terminal 306 is selected).
- call distributor 304 may process auxiliary information from auxiliary information database 140 to select the terminal to handle the emergency call. For instance, if the auxiliary information includes a language preference, then call distributor 304 may select the terminal that can handle the language preference of the calling party.
- call distributor 304 routes the emergency call and the alternate routing information to terminal 306 .
- Terminal 306 receives the emergency call and alternate routing information. Terminal 306 may then operate in many desired ways responsive to receiving the alternate routing information.
- terminal 306 processes the alternate routing information to display the alternate routing information to a call taker.
- the call taker may then handle the emergency call.
- the call taker may advantageously be in a better position to handle the call based on the alternate routing information that accompanied the emergency call.
- an emergency call that was routed to one answering point may be transferred to another answering point.
- the first answering point initially receiving the emergency call may perform a screening function to determine if the call is legitimate or to determine a second answering point that should handle the emergency call.
- the first answering point would then transfer the emergency call to the second answering point.
- answering point 112 transfers the emergency call to an alternate answering point over packet network 110 in step 508 (assume answering point 113 in this embodiment).
- Answering point 112 also transmits transfer information to answering point 113 .
- Transfer information comprises any information regarding a transfer of an emergency call from one answering point to another. The transfer information may simply indicate that the emergency call was transferred from another answering point so that answering point 113 is aware that the emergency call is not a new incoming call.
- Answering point 112 may transmit the transfer information to answering point 113 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, answering point 112 may transmit the transfer information to answering point 113 in the signaling for the emergency call.
- answering point 112 may include the transfer information in a SIP message used to route the emergency call to answering point 113 (e.g., a SIP INVITE message). More particularly, answering point 112 may include the transfer information in XML data of a SIP message header.
- FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method 600 of operating answering point 113 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
- the steps of the flow chart in FIG. 6 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown.
- packet network interface 302 receives the emergency call over packet network 110 as transferred by answering point 112 (see also FIG. 1 ), and also receives the transfer information.
- call distributor 304 selects a terminal to handle the emergency call (assume terminal 306 is selected).
- call distributor 304 routes the emergency call and the transfer information to terminal 306 to which terminal 306 receives the emergency call and the transfer information. Terminal 306 may then operate in many desired ways responsive to receiving the transfer information.
- terminal 306 processes the transfer information to display the transfer information to a call taker.
- the call taker may then handle the emergency call.
- the call taker may advantageously be in a better position to handle the call based on the transfer information that accompanied the emergency call.
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to emergency services and, in particular, to providing alternate routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network. More particularly, this invention provides nominal emergency services call processing cases with information to allow a call taker to understand the call processing logic used for a specific call. Also, in an alternate routing scenario where a primary answering point is not available to handle an emergency call, the emergency services network routes the emergency call to an alternate answering point and also provides alternate routing information to the alternate answering point indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point.
- In the United States, basic 9-1-1 service and Enhanced 9-1-1 service (E9-1-1) were developed for landline-based telephony as emergency reporting services where a calling party can dial 9-1-1 in emergency situations. When an emergency call, such as a 9-1-1 call, is placed over a telephone network, the telephone network identifies that the call is an emergency call and routes the call to a selective router, which is a dedicated 9-1-1 switch in an emergency services network. The selective router processes trunk that the call arrived on or the directory number of the calling party who placed the emergency call to select a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP, also known as a “Public Safety Access Point”) to handle the call. The selective router then routes the emergency call to the selected PSAP.
- The call is answered at the PSAP by a call taker. The call taker converses with the calling party to determine information on the emergency situation. For instance, the call taker may ask the calling party for his/her name, the nature of the emergency, the location of the emergency, etc. The call taker then contacts emergency personnel to respond to the emergency based on the gathered information. E9-1-1 has the additional features of automatically providing the call taker with some information on the calling party. For instance, E9-1-1 service includes the features of Automatic Number Identification (ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI). With ANI, the call taker at the PSAP is automatically provided with the telephone number of the phone placing the emergency call to allow for call back. The PSAP also uses the ANI to query the ALI database for information on the physical location of the calling party's phone. The ALI database stores records mapping telephone numbers to information on a physical location (such as a street address). Responsive to the query from the PSAP, the ALI database returns the location information for the calling party. With the telephone number and the location information, the call taker can more effectively handle the emergency call.
- The logic in a typical selective router is as follows. Responsive to receiving an emergency call, the selective router determines whether trunk-only routing is enabled. If trunk-only routing is enabled, then the selective router routes the emergency call to a PSAP identified by a relationship with the trunk over which the selective router received the emergency call. If trunk-only routing is not enabled, then the selective router performs selective routing based on the calling party number. In the selective routing process, the selective router may query a selective routing database based on the calling party number to acquire an Emergency Service Number (ESN). Based on the ESN, the selective router builds a list of PSAP's (or other destinations) to handle the emergency call. The selective router identifies one of the PSAP's as the primary PSAP, and the other PSAP's as alternate PSAP's.
- The selective router then attempts to route the emergency call to the primary PSAP. Before routing the emergency call, the selective router determines whether the primary PSAP is available to handle the emergency call. For instance, the selective router determines whether the PSAP is busy or has been abandoned. If the primary PSAP is available, then the selective router routes the emergency call to the primary PSAP. If the primary PSAP is not available, then the selective router performs alternate routing. The selective router identifies an alternate PSAP to handle the call, and determines whether the alternate PSAP is available to handle the emergency call. If the alternate PSAP is available, then the selective router routes the emergency call to the alternate PSAP. If the alternate PSAP is not available, then the selective router performs alternate routing again.
- In a traditional emergency services network, the selective router is coupled to the PSAP over a circuit-switched network. More particularly, the selective router is coupled to the PSAP by redundant CAMA trunks. CAMA trunks have limitations in that only a small amount of information can be passed over these trunks from the selective router to the PSAP when routing the call. Typically, the selective router only passes the ANI to the PSAP over a CAMA trunk. The PSAP thus has to access the location information for the calling party from an ALI database based on the calling party number.
- More recent implementations of emergency services networks implement packet-switched technology in place of circuit-switched technologies. More particularly, the selective router is connected to the PSAP's over a packet network, such as an IP network. The use of a packet network allows the selective router to pass more information to the PSAP than can be done over a CAMA trunk. As one example, the selective router can pass location information to the PSAP over the packet network. As another example, the selective router can pass additional information about the emergency situation to the PSAP over the packet network, such as that the emergency situation is at a hazardous location.
- One problem with present emergency services networks, whether circuit-switched or packet-switched, is that a PSAP receiving an emergency call is not informed as to whether that PSAP is the primary PSAP or an alternate PSAP in the selective routing process. Also, a call taker at the PSAP receiving an emergency call is not informed as to the reason that he or she is receiving the call. Such reasons include, but are not limited to, the primary PSAP reached its call handling capacity or has been abandoned. In a circuit-switched network, it is not feasible to transmit such information over the CAMA trunks between the selective router and the PSAP. In a packet-switched network, no process exists or has been suggested to inform the PSAP as to whether the PSAP is the primary or an alternate.
- Embodiments of the invention solve the above and other problems by having a selective routing system provide routing information to a PSAP or another alternate answering point indicating a reason for primary or alternate routing of the emergency call to the answering point. In some situations, the selective router indicates the reason for alternate routing to an alternate destination instead of a primary answering point. In one example, the routing information may indicate the call was routed using the selective routing algorithm. In another example, the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point was busy which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point. In another example, the alternate routing information may indicate that the primary answering point was abandoned which is why the emergency call was routed to the alternate answering point.
- Providing routing information in accordance with this invention has the advantage of facilitating the call taker's understanding of the problems of misrouted calls or the source of calls as designated by ingress trunk groups. Providing the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point provides many advantages. For instance, the alternate answering point may be informed that the emergency call did not originate in its jurisdiction because the alternate answering point was not the primary answering point. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is receiving a significant overflow of emergency calls from another answering point that is commonly busy, which means that the other answering point may need increased capacity. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is receiving a significant overflow of emergency calls from another answering point that is handling a large emergency situation, such as a hurricane or flood. In another instance, the alternate answering point may determine that it is handling emergency calls from another answering point that has been abandoned.
- One embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an emergency services network to handle routing of an emergency call. The method includes receiving an emergency call in the emergency services network, performing a selective routing process or trunk-only routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and determining whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call. Responsive to a determination that the primary answering point is not available to handle the emergency call, the method further includes a process to identify an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call, routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point, identifying alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point, and transmitting the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point.
- Another embodiment of the invention includes an emergency call control system for handling emergency calls. The emergency call control system includes a packet network interface adapted to communicate over a packet network with a plurality of answering points, and a selective routing system. The selective routing system is adapted to receive an emergency call, to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and to determine whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call. Responsive to a determination that the primary answering point is not available to handle the emergency call, the selective routing system is further adapted to identify an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call, to route the emergency call to the alternate answering point through the packet network interface over the packet network, to identify alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the alternate answering point instead of the primary answering point, and to transmit the alternate routing information to the alternate answering point through the packet network interface over the packet network.
- Another embodiment of the invention comprises an emergency services network. The emergency services network includes a plurality of answering points, an emergency call control system, and a packet network that connects the emergency call control system to the answering points. The emergency call control system is adapted to receive an emergency call, to identify a first answering point to handle the emergency call, and to determine whether the first answering point is available to handle the emergency call. Responsive to a determination that the first answering point is not available to handle the emergency call, the emergency call control system is further adapted to identify a second answering point to handle the emergency call, to route the emergency call to the second answering point over the packet network, to identify alternate routing information indicating a reason for routing the emergency call to the second answering point instead of the first answering point, and to transmit the alternate routing information to the second answering point over the packet network.
- Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of operating an emergency services network to handle a transfer of an emergency call. The method includes receiving an emergency call in the emergency services network, performing a selective routing process or trunk-only routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and routing the emergency call to the primary answering point. The method further includes transferring the emergency call from the primary answering point to an alternate answering point, and transmitting transfer information from the primary answering point to the alternate answering point indicating that the emergency call was transferred from the primary answering point
- The invention may include other exemplary embodiments described below.
- The same reference number represents the same element or same type of element on all drawings.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a communication network in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an emergency services network to handle routing of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 illustrates an answering point in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an answering point in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an emergency services network to handle a transfer of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another method of operating an answering point in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. -
FIGS. 1-6 and the following description depict specific exemplary embodiments of the invention to teach those skilled in the art how to make and use the invention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, some conventional aspects of the invention have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations from these embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents. -
FIG. 1 illustrates acommunication network 100 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention.Communication network 100 is adapted to handle emergency calls. An emergency call, also referred to as a special number call or an abbreviated number call, is a call to a particular number where the communication network provides a special service to a calling party. Examples of emergency calls include 9-1-1 calls in the United States, and 1-1-2 calls in Europe.Communication network 100 is illustrated as including anaccess network 101 and anemergency services network 102.Access network 101 comprises any type of network adapted to provide telecommunications services to acalling device 120.Access network 101 may comprise a wireline network (e.g., a PSTN), a wireless network (e.g., a CDMA network or a GSM network), or a VoIP network.Emergency services network 102 includes an emergency call control (ECC)system 104, apacket network 110, and a plurality of answering points 112-113. An ECC system comprises any system or server adapted to control routing of emergency calls.ECC system 104 includes a selective routing (SR)system 106 and apacket network interface 108.Selective routing system 106 may connect to aselective routing database 130 that stores information on answering points connected toselective routing system 106, and may connect to anauxiliary information database 140 that stores information pertinent to routing of emergency calls to the proper answering point. For instance, the auxiliary information may comprise a language preference of the calling party, a medical condition of the calling party, etc. An answering point inemergency services network 102 comprises any system adapted to serve or handle an emergency call. One example of an answering point is a PSAP. Answering points 112-113 are VoIP capable systems, such as systems that are SIP-enabled for handling call signaling and RTP-enabled for handling voice packets. - Assume for this embodiment that an emergency call is placed by calling
device 120.Access network 101, that is servingcalling device 120, receives the call and identifies the call as an emergency call.Access network 101 then routes the emergency call toECC system 104 ofemergency services network 102. Responsive to receiving the emergency call,emergency services network 102 operates as described below to handle the emergency call. -
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating amethod 200 of operatingemergency services network 102 to handle routing of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of the flow chart inFIG. 2 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. - In
step 202 ofmethod 200,selective routing system 106 receives the emergency call.Selective routing system 106 then performs a selective routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call instep 204. As an example of a selective routing process,selective routing system 106 receives the directory number of callingdevice 120 in the signaling for the emergency call.Selective routing system 106 may then query aselective routing database 130 to identify an Emergency Service Number (ESN) assigned to the directory number.Selective routing database 130 stores the directory number-to-ESN relationship. RoutingInformation Database 150 stores information on the answering points and the status of the answering points.Routing Information database 150 may be populated automatically byselective routing system 106 or may be updated by answering points 112-113. The ESN provided byselective routing database 130 indicates a primary answering point to handle the emergency call, and may identify one or more alternate answering points to handle the emergency call. A primary answering point comprises a network node that is identified as the node to which an emergency call should be initially routed. The primary answering point may be the final destination for an emergency call or may be an intermediate destination. Assume for this embodiment that answeringpoint 112 is identified as the primary answering point. For the selective routing process,selective routing system 106 may queryauxiliary information database 140 for auxiliary information used to select the primary answering point and/or the alternate answering points. For instance, the auxiliary information may comprise a language preference for the calling party such thatselective routing system 106 selects answering points adapted to handle the language preference. Those skilled in the art understand that before performing the selective routing process instep 204,selective routing system 106 may determine whether trunk-only routing is enabled as discussed above, in the Background of the Invention. This process is left out for the sake of brevity. - In
step 206,selective routing system 106 determines whether the primary answering point is available to handle the emergency call. As an example,selective routing system 106 may process state data for answeringpoint 112 to determine its availability. The state data may indicate that answeringpoint 112 is busy, abandoned, etc. The state data may also indicate that multiple calls are queued up for answeringpoint 112 and that answeringpoint 112 is congested. As another example,selective routing system 106 may transmit a request message to answeringpoint 112 overpacket network 110, such as a SIP INVITE message.Selective routing system 106 may then receive a response message indicating that answeringpoint 112 is available or indicating that answeringpoint 112 is not available (e.g., busy). Alternatively,selective routing system 106 may not receive a response message from answeringpoint 112 within a threshold time period which indicates that answeringpoint 112 is not available. If answeringpoint 112 is available to handle the emergency call, thenselective routing system 106 routes the emergency call to answeringpoint 112 overpacket network 110 throughpacket network interface 108 and transmits information that answeringpoint 112 is the primary destination per selective routing instep 207. - If answering
point 112 is not available to handle the emergency call, thenselective routing system 106 performs the selective routing process to identify an alternate answering point to handle the emergency call instep 210. An alternate answering point comprises a network node other than the primary answering point that is a final destination for an emergency call. The alternate answering point (assume answering point 113) may have been identified in the previous alternate routing process used to identify the alternate answering point. On the other hand,selective routing system 106 may determine the primary answering point based on facility administration of Trunk-onlyRouting 203 on the media which the call arrived fromaccess network 101. Instep 212,selective routing system 106 routes the emergency call to answeringpoint 113 overpacket network 110 throughpacket network interface 108. - In
step 208,selective routing system 106 identifies the primary routing information for the emergency call. The primary routing information comprises either Trunk-only Routing or Selective Routing. Instep 214,selective routing system 106 identifies alternate routing information for the emergency call. The alternate routing information comprises any information that indicates a reason for routing the emergency call to thealternate answering point 113 instead of theprimary answering point 112. In one example, the alternate routing information may indicate that theprimary answering point 112 was busy which is why the emergency call was routed to thealternate answering point 113. In another example, the alternate routing information may indicate that theprimary answering point 112 was abandoned which is why the emergency call was routed to thealternate answering point 113. The alternate routing information may include other information indicating reasons for routing the call to thealternate answering point 113. - In
steps selective routing system 106 transmits the routing information to answeringpoint 113 overpacket network 110 throughpacket network interface 108.Selective routing system 106 may transmit the routing information to answeringpoint 113 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment,selective routing system 106 transmits the routing information to answeringpoint 113 in the signaling for the emergency call. For instance, if the signaling used overpacket network 110 is SIP, thenselective routing system 106 may include the routing information in a SIP message used to route the emergency call to answering point 113 (e.g., a SIP INVITE message). More particularly,selective routing system 106 may include the routing information in XML data of a SIP message header.Selective routing system 106 may push the routing information to answeringpoint 113 upon identifying the information. Alternatively,selective routing system 106 may transmit the routing information to answeringpoint 113 responsive to a request from answeringpoint 113 or another device. -
Selective routing system 106 may provide other types of information to answeringpoint 113 overpacket network 110 in addition to the primary routing information and alternate routing information. For instance,selective routing system 106 may provide location information to answeringpoint 113 overpacket network 110.Selective routing system 106 may provide information regarding the emergency situation that caused the emergency call. As an example, the emergency situation may have occurred in a hazardous location requiring emergency personnel to take special precautions.Selective routing system 106 may thus provideanswering point 113 with additional information regarding the hazardous location. -
FIG. 3 illustrates answeringpoint 113 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Answeringpoint 113 includes apacket network interface 302, acall distributor 304, and a plurality of terminals 306-307.Packet network interface 302 is adapted to communicate with other nodes over packet network 110 (seeFIG. 1 ). Call distributor 304 (also referred to as an “automatic call distributor” or “ACD”) comprises any system or server adapted to route incoming calls to the appropriate terminal. Terminals 306-307 comprise any equipment used by a call taker or agent to serve an emergency call, such as a telephone, a computer, etc. -
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating amethod 400 of operating answeringpoint 113 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of the flow chart inFIG. 4 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. - In
step 402 ofmethod 400,packet network interface 302 receives the emergency call overpacket network 110 as routed by selective routing system 106 (see alsoFIG. 1 ), and also receives the alternate routing information. Instep 404, calldistributor 304 selects a terminal to handle the emergency call (assume terminal 306 is selected). As withselective routing system 106, calldistributor 304 may process auxiliary information fromauxiliary information database 140 to select the terminal to handle the emergency call. For instance, if the auxiliary information includes a language preference, then calldistributor 304 may select the terminal that can handle the language preference of the calling party. Instep 406, calldistributor 304 routes the emergency call and the alternate routing information toterminal 306.Terminal 306 receives the emergency call and alternate routing information.Terminal 306 may then operate in many desired ways responsive to receiving the alternate routing information. - In
step 408, terminal 306 processes the alternate routing information to display the alternate routing information to a call taker. The call taker may then handle the emergency call. The call taker may advantageously be in a better position to handle the call based on the alternate routing information that accompanied the emergency call. - In an additional or
alternative step 410, terminal 306 processes the alternate routing information to generate an alert of increased call volume. As an example, if the alternate routing information indicates that theprimary answering point 112 was abandoned, then terminal 306 may generate an alert that answeringpoint 113 can expect an increased call volume so that additional call takers may be added in answeringpoint 113. In another example, if the alternate routing information indicates that theprimary answering point 112 is busy, such as for a natural disaster, then terminal 306 may also generate an alert that answeringpoint 113 can expect an increased call volume. - In an additional or
alternative step 412, terminal 306 processes the alternate routing information to modify call handling rules incall distributor 304. Calldistributor 304 determines which terminal 306-307 to route emergency calls based on call handling rules. Responsive to processing the alternate routing information, terminal 306 (or alternatively call distributor 304) may modify the call handing rules so that calls may be more efficiently handled within answeringpoint 113. Examples include language preference of caller or otherwise matching a skill set between the caller and call handler. -
Methods emergency services network 102, such as byselective routing system 106. Inemergency services network 102, an emergency call that was routed to one answering point may be transferred to another answering point. For example, the first answering point initially receiving the emergency call may perform a screening function to determine if the call is legitimate or to determine a second answering point that should handle the emergency call. The first answering point would then transfer the emergency call to the second answering point. In this call transfer scenario, it may be advantageous to provide the second answering point with transfer information indicating that the emergency call was transferred from another answering point (instead of being a new inbound call), and/or other information about the transfer. -
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating anothermethod 500 of operatingemergency services network 102 to handle a transfer of an emergency call in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of the flow chart inFIG. 5 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. - In
step 502 ofmethod 500,selective routing system 106 receives the emergency call.Selective routing system 106 then performs a selective routing process to identify a primary answering point to handle the emergency call instep 504. Assume for this embodiment that answeringpoint 112 is identified as the primary answering point. Instep 506,selective routing system 106 routes the emergency call to answeringpoint 112 overpacket network 110 throughpacket network interface 108. - Answering
point 112 receives the emergency call. There may be one or more reasons why answeringpoint 112 is not the final destination for the emergency call. For instance, answeringpoint 112 may perform screening of emergency calls, but is not equipped to handle the emergency call in such a way to dispatch emergency personnel. Answeringpoint 112 or a call taker in answeringpoint 112 would then determine that the emergency call needs to be transferred to an alternate answering point that is equipped to dispatch emergency personnel. - When a determination is made that answering
point 112 is not the final destination for the emergency call, answeringpoint 112 transfers the emergency call to an alternate answering point overpacket network 110 in step 508 (assume answeringpoint 113 in this embodiment). Answeringpoint 112 also transmits transfer information to answeringpoint 113. Transfer information comprises any information regarding a transfer of an emergency call from one answering point to another. The transfer information may simply indicate that the emergency call was transferred from another answering point so that answeringpoint 113 is aware that the emergency call is not a new incoming call. Answeringpoint 112 may transmit the transfer information to answeringpoint 113 in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, answeringpoint 112 may transmit the transfer information to answeringpoint 113 in the signaling for the emergency call. For instance, if the signaling used overpacket network 110 is SIP, then answeringpoint 112 may include the transfer information in a SIP message used to route the emergency call to answering point 113 (e.g., a SIP INVITE message). More particularly, answeringpoint 112 may include the transfer information in XML data of a SIP message header. -
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating anothermethod 600 of operating answeringpoint 113 in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The steps of the flow chart inFIG. 6 are not all inclusive and may include other steps not shown. - In
step 602 ofmethod 600, packet network interface 302 (seeFIG. 3 ) receives the emergency call overpacket network 110 as transferred by answering point 112 (see alsoFIG. 1 ), and also receives the transfer information. Instep 604, calldistributor 304 selects a terminal to handle the emergency call (assume terminal 306 is selected). Instep 606, calldistributor 304 routes the emergency call and the transfer information toterminal 306 to whichterminal 306 receives the emergency call and the transfer information.Terminal 306 may then operate in many desired ways responsive to receiving the transfer information. - In
step 608, terminal 306 processes the transfer information to display the transfer information to a call taker. The call taker may then handle the emergency call. The call taker may advantageously be in a better position to handle the call based on the transfer information that accompanied the emergency call. - Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.
Claims (27)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/773,519 US8149996B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Providing routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/773,519 US8149996B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Providing routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20090010398A1 true US20090010398A1 (en) | 2009-01-08 |
US8149996B2 US8149996B2 (en) | 2012-04-03 |
Family
ID=40221435
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/773,519 Active 2031-01-31 US8149996B2 (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2007-07-05 | Providing routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8149996B2 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110053551A1 (en) * | 2009-09-03 | 2011-03-03 | West Corporation | System and method for effecting special treatment of emergency calls originating from a temporarily designated region |
US20140004855A1 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2014-01-02 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Dynamic configuration of subscriber data, such as data for subscribers of mobile device services |
US20140115176A1 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2014-04-24 | Cassidian Communications, Inc. | Clustered session management |
US9438731B2 (en) * | 2012-09-10 | 2016-09-06 | Tools/400 Inc. | Emergency 9-1-1 portal and application |
US9509842B2 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2016-11-29 | Airbus Ds Communications, Inc. | Collaborative and distributed emergency multimedia data management |
US10567592B1 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2020-02-18 | West Corporation | System and method for handling special number calls conveyed to a predetermined destination |
US11019206B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2021-05-25 | Tools/400 Inc. | Emergency 9-1-1 portal and application |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100217816A1 (en) * | 2009-02-23 | 2010-08-26 | Xcast Labs, Inc. | Video voicemail and menu system |
US8838788B2 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2014-09-16 | Balancebpo Inc. | System, method, and computer program product for contact center management |
US10701207B2 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2020-06-30 | BalanceCXI, Inc. | System, method, and computer program product for contact center management |
US9866690B2 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2018-01-09 | BalanceCXI, Inc. | System, method, and computer program product for contact center management |
Citations (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5249223A (en) * | 1991-01-03 | 1993-09-28 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Call-load-control arrangement for an emergency-call-answering center |
US6028915A (en) * | 1999-02-04 | 2000-02-22 | Mcnevin; Christopher Jordan | Method and apparatus for making an emergency call while on-line on a computer |
US6067356A (en) * | 1997-09-20 | 2000-05-23 | Alcatel | Method of routing emergency calls |
US6075853A (en) * | 1997-03-31 | 2000-06-13 | Sbc Technology Resources, Inc. | Apparatus and method for intelligent call routing and call return |
US6104784A (en) * | 1998-01-30 | 2000-08-15 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Arrangement for communicating between public safety answering points and an automatic location identifier database |
US6128481A (en) * | 1997-10-22 | 2000-10-03 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | System and method of routing emergency services calls in a radio telecommunications network |
US20030086539A1 (en) * | 2001-11-05 | 2003-05-08 | Mccalmont Patti L | Geographic routing of emergency service call center emergency calls |
US6665611B1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-12-16 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | System for discovering and maintaining geographic location information in a computer network to enable emergency services |
US6744858B1 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2004-06-01 | Telcontrol, Inc. | System and method for supporting multiple call centers |
US6914896B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2005-07-05 | Rockwell Electronic Commerce Technologies, Llc | Emergency services management network utilizing broadband voice over data networks |
US20050190892A1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2005-09-01 | Dawson Martin C. | Determining the geographical location from which an emergency call originates in a packet-based communications network |
US6940950B2 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2005-09-06 | Telecommunication Systems, Inc. | Enhanced E911 location information using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) |
US20060068753A1 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-30 | Jim Karpen | Emergency call handling system |
US20060078094A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods and systems for managing a call session |
US7123693B2 (en) * | 2004-03-13 | 2006-10-17 | Intrado Inc. | Method and apparatus for increasing the reliability of an emergency call communication network |
US20060233317A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-10-19 | Mci, Inc. | Handling emergency service calls originating from internet telephony |
US7127230B2 (en) * | 2004-12-10 | 2006-10-24 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods and computer program products for providing communications in emergency situations |
US20070003024A1 (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2007-01-04 | Cml Emergency Services Inc. | Network emergency call taking system and method |
US20070206507A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-09-06 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing network visualization services |
US20080253535A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2008-10-16 | Robert Allen Sherry | Emergency services call delivery from a legacy communications device to a voip psap |
US20110165894A1 (en) * | 2003-12-08 | 2011-07-07 | Research In Motion Limited | Methods And Apparatus For Conserving Power In A Mobile Communication Device |
-
2007
- 2007-07-05 US US11/773,519 patent/US8149996B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5249223A (en) * | 1991-01-03 | 1993-09-28 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Call-load-control arrangement for an emergency-call-answering center |
US6075853A (en) * | 1997-03-31 | 2000-06-13 | Sbc Technology Resources, Inc. | Apparatus and method for intelligent call routing and call return |
US6067356A (en) * | 1997-09-20 | 2000-05-23 | Alcatel | Method of routing emergency calls |
US6128481A (en) * | 1997-10-22 | 2000-10-03 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | System and method of routing emergency services calls in a radio telecommunications network |
US6104784A (en) * | 1998-01-30 | 2000-08-15 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Arrangement for communicating between public safety answering points and an automatic location identifier database |
US6028915A (en) * | 1999-02-04 | 2000-02-22 | Mcnevin; Christopher Jordan | Method and apparatus for making an emergency call while on-line on a computer |
US6914896B1 (en) * | 1999-11-05 | 2005-07-05 | Rockwell Electronic Commerce Technologies, Llc | Emergency services management network utilizing broadband voice over data networks |
US6744858B1 (en) * | 2001-01-26 | 2004-06-01 | Telcontrol, Inc. | System and method for supporting multiple call centers |
US6665611B1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2003-12-16 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | System for discovering and maintaining geographic location information in a computer network to enable emergency services |
US20040184584A1 (en) * | 2001-11-05 | 2004-09-23 | Intrado Inc. | Geographic routing of emergency service call center emergency calls |
US6771742B2 (en) * | 2001-11-05 | 2004-08-03 | Intrado Inc. | Geographic routing of emergency service call center emergency calls |
US20030086539A1 (en) * | 2001-11-05 | 2003-05-08 | Mccalmont Patti L | Geographic routing of emergency service call center emergency calls |
US20110165894A1 (en) * | 2003-12-08 | 2011-07-07 | Research In Motion Limited | Methods And Apparatus For Conserving Power In A Mobile Communication Device |
US6940950B2 (en) * | 2003-12-19 | 2005-09-06 | Telecommunication Systems, Inc. | Enhanced E911 location information using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) |
US20050190892A1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2005-09-01 | Dawson Martin C. | Determining the geographical location from which an emergency call originates in a packet-based communications network |
US7123693B2 (en) * | 2004-03-13 | 2006-10-17 | Intrado Inc. | Method and apparatus for increasing the reliability of an emergency call communication network |
US20060068753A1 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-30 | Jim Karpen | Emergency call handling system |
US20060078094A1 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods and systems for managing a call session |
US7127230B2 (en) * | 2004-12-10 | 2006-10-24 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods and computer program products for providing communications in emergency situations |
US20060233317A1 (en) * | 2005-04-15 | 2006-10-19 | Mci, Inc. | Handling emergency service calls originating from internet telephony |
US20070003024A1 (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2007-01-04 | Cml Emergency Services Inc. | Network emergency call taking system and method |
US20070206507A1 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2007-09-06 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing network visualization services |
US20080253535A1 (en) * | 2007-04-10 | 2008-10-16 | Robert Allen Sherry | Emergency services call delivery from a legacy communications device to a voip psap |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140004855A1 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2014-01-02 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Dynamic configuration of subscriber data, such as data for subscribers of mobile device services |
US9313647B2 (en) * | 2007-12-21 | 2016-04-12 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Dynamic configuration of subscriber data, such as data for subscribers of mobile device services |
US10064152B2 (en) | 2007-12-21 | 2018-08-28 | T-Mobile Usa, Inc. | Dynamic configuration of subscriber data, such as data for subscribers of mobile device services |
US20110053551A1 (en) * | 2009-09-03 | 2011-03-03 | West Corporation | System and method for effecting special treatment of emergency calls originating from a temporarily designated region |
US8913982B2 (en) | 2009-09-03 | 2014-12-16 | West Corporation | System and method for effecting special treatment of emergency calls originating from a temporarily designated region |
US9509842B2 (en) | 2011-06-17 | 2016-11-29 | Airbus Ds Communications, Inc. | Collaborative and distributed emergency multimedia data management |
US10567592B1 (en) * | 2012-06-27 | 2020-02-18 | West Corporation | System and method for handling special number calls conveyed to a predetermined destination |
US9438731B2 (en) * | 2012-09-10 | 2016-09-06 | Tools/400 Inc. | Emergency 9-1-1 portal and application |
US11019206B2 (en) | 2012-09-10 | 2021-05-25 | Tools/400 Inc. | Emergency 9-1-1 portal and application |
US20140115176A1 (en) * | 2012-10-22 | 2014-04-24 | Cassidian Communications, Inc. | Clustered session management |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8149996B2 (en) | 2012-04-03 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8149996B2 (en) | Providing routing information to an answering point of an emergency services network | |
US6940950B2 (en) | Enhanced E911 location information using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) | |
US9060076B2 (en) | Methods and systems for managing a call session | |
US9237228B2 (en) | Solutions for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) 911 location services | |
US8520805B2 (en) | Video E911 | |
US6968044B2 (en) | Telephone emergency response system and method | |
JP4922952B2 (en) | System and method for providing 911 service to a mobile internet telephone caller | |
US7200207B2 (en) | Communication network for providing emergency services | |
US9467836B2 (en) | Enhanced E911 location information using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) | |
TW200808026A (en) | Providing an indication of network capabilities to a user for special number calls | |
US9584661B2 (en) | Extended efficient usage of emergency services keys | |
US20090207978A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for emergency services number alerting in an internet protocol network | |
US20090004997A1 (en) | Portable emergency call center | |
US7756254B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for re-originating emergency calls on failure conditions | |
US7734021B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for supporting out of area phone number for emergency services | |
US20070177582A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for providing network interworking for emergency calls | |
JP2001217928A (en) | Enhanced system and method used in telephone network to promote distribution of emergency call to public safety answering point(psap) | |
US8532266B2 (en) | Efficient usage of emergency services keys | |
US8600009B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for mapping media access control addresses to service addresses |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WEST CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NELSON, MICHAEL J;WOLFE, DAVID DANIEL;LACLAIR, THOMAS;REEL/FRAME:019677/0579;SIGNING DATES FROM 20070807 TO 20070809 Owner name: WEST CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NELSON, MICHAEL J;WOLFE, DAVID DANIEL;LACLAIR, THOMAS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20070807 TO 20070809;REEL/FRAME:019677/0579 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRA Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNORS:INTERCALL, INC.;INTRADO, INC.;WEST CORPORATION;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:024244/0216 Effective date: 20091028 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
SULP | Surcharge for late payment | ||
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, MINNESOTA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WEST CORPORATION;WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION;WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:039093/0944 Effective date: 20160617 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, NEW YORK Free format text: NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN);ASSIGNOR:WEST CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:044166/0901 Effective date: 20171010 Owner name: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLAT Free format text: NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (FIRST LIEN);ASSIGNOR:WEST CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:044166/0901 Effective date: 20171010 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RELIANCE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC, NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:046046/0547 Effective date: 20180430 Owner name: WEST CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:046046/0547 Effective date: 20180430 Owner name: WEST INTERACTIVE SERVICES CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:046046/0547 Effective date: 20180430 Owner name: WEST UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, INC., NEBRAS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:046046/0547 Effective date: 20180430 Owner name: WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC., NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:046046/0547 Effective date: 20180430 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: 7.5 YR SURCHARGE - LATE PMT W/IN 6 MO, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1555); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: WEST NOTIFICATIONS GROUP, INC., NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:062201/0960 Effective date: 20221103 Owner name: WEST DIRECT, LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:062201/0960 Effective date: 20221103 Owner name: WEST CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:062201/0960 Effective date: 20221103 Owner name: INTRADO INC., NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:062201/0960 Effective date: 20221103 Owner name: INTERCALL, INC., NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION;REEL/FRAME:062201/0960 Effective date: 20221103 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTRADO CORPORATION, NEBRASKA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:WEST CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:062213/0567 Effective date: 20190920 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTRADO LIFE & SAFETY, INC., COLORADO Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTRADO CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:062252/0588 Effective date: 20221229 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, CANADA Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTRADO LIFE & SAFETY, INC.;REEL/FRAME:062596/0780 Effective date: 20230131 Owner name: INTRADO LIFE & SAFETY, INC. (F/K/A WEST SAFETY SERVICES, INC.), NEBRASKA Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS AGENT;REEL/FRAME:062570/0940 Effective date: 20230131 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |